Get ready for a unique sporting spectacle! The Braine-le-Comte firefighters' association is proud to announce the organization of the very first Belgian edition of FireFit, a spectacular international competition that will rigorously test the skills and endurance of firefighters.
Mark your calendars for May 2nd and 3rd, 2026, at the RPA Hainaut Sécurité in Bauffe (near Lens in Belgium) to witness this unprecedented event.
FireFit: More Than a Competition, a showcase of the firefighter profession
Imagine an intense and playful replica of firefighters' daily interventions. That's exactly what FireFit is. Under the impetus of Léonard Grégory, the passionate organizer behind the famous "Tour des défis" (Challenge Tower) at the Ronquières inclined plane, and with the support of André Bougard from RPA Hainaut-Sécurité, the Braine-le-Comte firefighters' association, and the Hainaut-Centre fire department, this event promises to attract participants from all over the world.
The organization will benefit from the expertise of German organizers for registration management and various partners to ensure broad international publicity, guaranteeing a high-level field of participants.
An impressive physical and technical challenge
FireFit is much more than just a race. It is a demanding, regulated course to be completed fully equipped with firefighting gear, helmet, boots, gloves, and a self-contained breathing apparatus. Each stage symbolizes the physical challenges faced by firefighters during their missions:
Part One: Ascent and Hoisting. Competitors must carry a coiled hose up to the 3rd floor of a tower. Once at the top, a second hose reel must be hoisted by hand and placed next to the first, before descending by taking each step.
Part Two: Strength, Agility, and Precision. The event continues with moving a 75 kg weight using a mallet over 1.5 meters. Then, firefighters must complete a 30-meter slalom before demonstrating precision by knocking down a target with a water hose (45 diameter) set up at a distance of 23 meters.
Final Stage: The Rescue. The event concludes with dragging an 80 kg dummy victim over a distance of 32 meters.
Much more than a competition: exchange and continuous improvement
Beyond the competition, FireFit aims to be a place for exchange and sharing best practices for firefighters from all backgrounds. "FireFit is not well-known in Belgium, and I want to show that it exists," emphasizes Léonard Grégory. This discipline, originating from North America, is notably used to evaluate firefighters at the end of their training.
The event will offer different participation formats: individual, tandem, or team, allowing everyone to take on the challenge at their own pace. The organization also hopes for the participation of the armed forces and the police, thus opening FireFit to an even wider audience.
ANPI is a partner of this first edition
ANPI is delighted to announce its participation as a partner of FireFit. Come and visit us at our stand.
Practical Information:
- Dates: May 2nd and 3rd, 2026
- Location: RPA Hainaut Sécurité
- Address: Rue de la Croix 112, 7870 Lens
- Registration: https://firefit-europe.eu/en/
- Additional Information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574545238986
